Heiress Unmasked: Shaking the World With Geomancy novel Chapter 2077

"We will not keep her around."

For the success of Solvanna's ascension, Maeric would not hesitate to sacrifice even his own daughter. In his mind, this would ensure that Solvanna remained grateful to them.

Having made his decision, Maeric wasted no time. The following morning, Liora arrived at the residence, bringing along her grandson and daughter-in-law.

Instead of taking Serelith outside to see the child, Maeric had her remain in the inner quarters.

His reasoning wasn't that Serelith was too delicate or noble to be seen, but rather that he feared she might use the excuse of tending to the sick child as a way to secretly make contact with outsiders and send messages.

By keeping her in the inner residence, they could ensure that every move she made was under their watch.

Shannon had noticed the previous night that there were several pairs of eyes now watching the small courtyard, but she paid it no mind. As long as they didn't make the first move against her, she would do her best not to act prematurely.

Liora's daughter-in-law, Cora Carpenter, was the cook in the household. As she worked within the residence, she was well aware that Serelith, who had come seeking refuge, was not well regarded.

She disapproved of her mother-in-law's decision to bring the child to be seen by this woman, but, too timid to challenge her, she followed along in silence.

When she met Shannon's gaze, there was little sign of respect on her face. Instead, she scrutinized and appraised her, as though sizing her up.

"You claim my son has encountered something unclean. What proof do you have of this?"

Liora, about to scold Cora, was cut short as Shannon lifted her gaze and gave a silent gesture for her to stop. "How noisy. Drag her out, please."

At that, Cora's face darkened, but Liora nodded, swiftly taking the child and ushering the former out. Only once the room was clear of onlookers did Shannon gesture for Liora to place the child on a chair nearby.

The dirt Shannon had applied the previous day had temporarily alleviated the child's fever, though the boy still appeared sluggish and drained of energy.

However, in her eyes, there lingered a small, faint soul hovering just beyond the child, obviously displaced after the boy's encounter with the lingering grudge.

Though it had not been lost, the soul was unable to return to his body.

As she had mentioned the previous day, if left unaddressed for too long, the soul could be lost entirely, leaving the child utterly senseless.